Climate change is a serious issue, people.

A few years ago, the World Health Organization released some alarming predictions about its impact on world health.

We tend to vilify governments, large corporations, and industrial plants as the cause of our planet’s rapid decay. While they certainly play a massive role, the truth is that all of us have a part to play in this; our individual everyday life actions make a significant difference. We need to band together and make better choices for ourselves and future generations.

There’s no better place to start than in our homes, so here are five ideas for eco-friendly laundry room items that you can use in place of most existing products:

Natural Laundry Detergents

Many traditional detergents are incredibly detrimental to the environment. They contain phosphates, added dyes, and other chemicals that cause tremendous harm to marine life once released into our oceans and waterways.

The packaging alone causes a great deal of concern. Most contain plastics and other materials that are difficult to recycle, and that will never fully decompose.

Eco-friendly strips are an upcoming technology that provide a much safer alternative. We use Tru Earth Eco-Strips, which is kind to the environment and our customers’ health.

You can also balance store-bought eco-friendly detergents with simple homemade laundry solutions crafted from everyday household items (such as baking soda and vinegar).

Mesh Laundry Bags

Laundry baskets made almost entirely out of plastic are far from environmentally ideal. Switch those out for mesh laundry bags, which degrade much more rapidly. You can also use them for other purposes around your home, such as storage or shopping bags, increasing their reusability.

If you still prefer baskets, not to worry. There are plenty of eco-friendly options to choose from.

Wool Dryer Balls

Like traditional laundry detergents, regular dryer sheets are typically jam-packed with chemicals that pollute the environment and harm your health. They are also single-use products, meaning they generate tonnes of waste every year.

Wool dryer balls are a much safer option than toxic dryer sheets. They contain zero poisonous chemicals, last for multiple uses, and save energy by reducing the amount of drying time needed.

Drying Racks

For many households, clothes dryers are among the top energy-consuming appliances. According to BC Hydro, a dryer can account for 12% of your home’s energy.

One of the best ways to conserve energy is to hang dry your duds. Not only does this help the environment, but it also’s gentler on your clothes, saves space, and is much cheaper. There are even eco-friendly drying racks available; try finding one made of bamboo rather than plastic.

Eco-Friendly Washing Machine

If you’re feeling really ambitious (and your current washing machine is just about to give out), consider investing in an eco-friendly washing machine. These appliances are designed to work more efficiently, thus conserving energy. Furthermore, they use far less water than regular machines, which can save thousands of gallons of this resource per year.

Tip: look for appliances bearing the Energy Star, the internationally recognized symbol for high energy efficiency.

Make Small Steps Toward Sustainability. Although the topic of climate change is nothing new, the need for proper environmental stewardship and “green” behavior is more significant than ever before. Every move we make has some kind of ecological impact; let’s continue forward with greater caution.